Imran Khan hospital row: PTI accuses Pakistan govt of defying SC order

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has moved the Supreme Court against the government, alleging that authorities violated its order on the medical transfer of jailed party founder Imran Khan. The contempt petition was filed on Saturday (Aug 22) after Khan was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for a brief medical examination instead of being transferred to the private Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the top court.

PTI legal adviser Naeem Panjutha said the petition seeks action against senior government officials, including the prime minister, law minister and information minister.

“The petition seeks action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister” and other government officials, Panjutha said, adding that the party has also sought Khan’s treatment at the private hospital specified by the court.

A three-judge Supreme Court bench had on Tuesday directed the government to shift Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital within two days for a medical examination. Authorities instead took the former prime minister to PIMS late Friday before returning him to prison. PTI has also alleged that Khan was not allowed to consult his personal physician, describing the move as another breach of the court’s directions. The party maintains that the court order requires Khan to remain under medical supervision until at least mid-September.

Khan’s sister Uzma Khan, who was present during his examination at PIMS, told reporters that her brother appeared physically fit but claimed he had told her that he was “being repeatedly tortured in prison”.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the decision to take Khan to PIMS, saying the examination was conducted there because of security concerns.

The 73-year-old has been serving a 14-year prison sentence since August 2023 after he was charged with corruption and other crimes. Khan, who was found guilty of concealing details of Toshakhana gifts, has insisted that the charges were politically motivated. He was also found guilty in a $259 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. However, while being held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, reports have emerged about his health concerns, with his party members, family and supporters expressing outrage.

Khan served as the prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He was ousted in a no-confidence vote when the country was facing a political crisis fuelled by tensions between his government and the military establishment. He was arrested in May 2023, triggering a nationwide protest.